The 2024/25 Betway Premiership season returns to full action this week, and the jury will be out on what the return could hold for the mighty Kaizer Chiefs.
There have been sparks and fireworks, to an extent where venues have been sold out with so much belief and expectation, but in the same breath, that little hope has also exposed some of the most telling cracks and just how far a road they still have to travel to catch up to the front runners.
Amakhosi will next face Richards Bay FC in the league at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off). Both teams haven’t had the best starts to the season, but Chiefs will go into the encounter with the edge having won a game more and with their home-ground advantage.
Here, we will look at what could potentially shape their season as they strive to return to the top.
Next Kaizer Chiefs Match!
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) November 25, 2024
🏆#BetwayPrem
⚽️Kaizer Chiefs vs. Richards Bay FC
👕First Team
🗓️Wednesday 27 November 2024
🏟New Peter Mokaba Stadium
🕞19h30
🎟R60: Computicket, Shoprite: https://t.co/nSBHeT3ji1
📺SuperSport 202
📢Please come early!#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/O8ak3trBFu
Clean sheets are worth points
Chiefs have conceded seven goals in the five league games they have played, as well as an additional four in the Carling Knockout. Eleven goals in just seven across all competitions will always leave any side struggling for results.
Log leaders Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have only conceded two goals, and they haven’t dropped points in seven matches. They will need to close the gaps in their defence through changes or bringing in new players; otherwise, they stand to lose more points.
The need to build the house around the Top 8
Coach Nasreddine Nabi has maintained that the team needs time to recover from a few disappointing seasons, and it could take them quite a while to compete for top honours.
To build a winning team, he has asked for time and patience from everyone concerned, but if they are to mount any substantial challenge next season, they will need to maintain or better the top-eight position they currently occupy. Points against sides they should beat on balance will be vital.
Balance in experience and youth
Nabi has shown faith in the few youngsters since the beginning of the season, and the impact they have had so far will only benefit them in the season to come with all the lessons they will take away with them.
But with the consistency and the form they have shown, Nabi could need to be wary of how he uses them moving forward. A player like Mduduzi Shabalala has all the tools, and he needs to be looked after. His form and consistency have been good, but he will not be able to carry the weight of such a big club, so they, therefore, need to bolster their side with more experience around these youngsters.
Motsepe Foundation Championship
— The NFD (@the_nfd) November 26, 2024
Nedbank Cup Preliminary Round fixtures. #MFCHAMPIONSHIP https://t.co/YKda6xhRTR pic.twitter.com/q9jEkyJs28
An opportunity for silverware is not completely out of the window
The first-round draw of the Nedbank Cup was conducted on Tuesday, with the ABC Motsepe Foundation Championship sides set to battle it out for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
Amakhosi haven’t won a major trophy in a spell nearing a decade, and after having already missed out of the MTN8 due to their 10th place finish last season, and their emphatic exit after a 4-0 loss at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this month, leaves the Nedbank Cup as their only realistic chance of silverware.